Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee chondromalacia patella, right knee chondromalacia patella, tinnitus, sleep disability, and respiratory disability have been granted. The Veteran is also remanded for additional examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed sleep and respiratory disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted his TDIU claim.

The appeal to readjudicate the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,The appeals to readjudicate claims of service connection for tinnitus, kidney conditions, an acquired psychiatric disability, a dental condition, and acid reflux are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective October 10, 2023. The decision also grants a TDIU for the same period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his TBI and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to cognitive impairments and hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and right shoulder impingement syndrome and bicipital tendon tear have been denied as there is no evidence of a claim prior to the effective dates assigned.,The Veteran's GERD has been granted service connection secondary to medications used to treat his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for venereal disease, herpes, oral and genitals with scars, and tinnitus have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC benefits was denied because he does not have a service-connected disability rated at 70 percent or more. The case is closed as the criteria for basic eligibility under VA's PCAFC program are not met.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for low back strain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to noise exposure during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and auditory processing disorder. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The Veteran is also remanded for further examination regarding his fibromyalgia and rectal bleeding conditions.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran's claimed hearing loss, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, or rectal bleeding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spinal stenosis, COPD, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence added to the record.

The Veteran's claim for a left knee condition has been remanded. Service connection for tinnitus and sinusitis is granted based on presumptive exposure under the PACT Act. The Veteran's claim for rhinitis was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition. Service connection for OSA, secondary to PTSD, and bilateral plantar fasciitis, secondary to service-connected PTSD, are granted.,The Veteran's left knee condition is pending and will be remanded. The Veteran has established service connection for tinnitus and sinusitis based on presumptive exposure under the PACT Act. Service connection for rhinitis was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition. Service connection for OSA, secondary to PTSD, and bilateral plantar fasciitis, secondary to service-connected PTSD, are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not caused by or related to his service-connected PTSD. The decision also grants service connection for tinnitus based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and migraines have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, nor could it be presumed due to exposure to noise during service.,For the bilateral pes planus claim, additional development is required as there are conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by basic training. The Board also noted that the bilateral knee and right ankle disorders may be related to the pes planus.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection and rating for various disabilities, as well as the need for additional medical examinations.

The application to reopen the claim of service connection for sleep disability is granted. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for anosmia and ageusia are dismissed, and his claim for service connection for headache disability is referred to the AOJ.